Slot Machine Terminology: Key terms, symbols and special features

• Slot machines are cornerstone of land-based and online casinos

• Learn slot terminology to improve your understanding of games

• Familiarise yourself with paylines, cascading reels and much more

The Basics of Slot Machine Terminology

Before diving into more technical aspects, it's best to learn basic slot machine terms that apply to most games.

Whether you're spinning the reels at a land-based establishment, or are about to play at Betfair Casino, these are the simplest words and phrases you should be familiar with.

Reels

The vertical sections of a slot machine that spin when you start a new game are called reels. Traditional slot machines have three or five reels, although modern online slots can have even more. Each reel is typically filled with symbols and the goal is to line them up in a winning combination.

Paylines

A payline is the line in which a payout will be awarded as long as the correct symbol combination lands on it. In older slot machines, there was usually only one payline. Modern games have anywhere between 10 and 100+ which are often arranged in intricate patterns across the reels.

Bet Level

The bet level refers to the amount you're wagering on each spin. Some online slot machines allow you to adjust both the coin value and the number of coins per line. In this way, they give you more control over the total bet amount.

This is an important part of slots terminology as understanding how bet levels work can help you better manage your bankroll.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols often substitute other symbols to create or develop a winning combination. They can sometimes carry additional benefits, such as multiplying your winnings or expanding across a reel.

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols are another common feature in slot games and are typically used to trigger bonus features or free spins. Unlike other symbols, they don't usually need to land on a specific pattern but may still provide an additional cash payout.

Bonus Rounds

Many slot games feature bonus rounds that offer players the chance to win extra rewards or cash prizes. While free spins are the most common type of bonus round, others, such as interactive mini-games, also exist. They are normally triggered when a set of scatters or other symbols land on the grid but can sometimes be activated randomly.

Volatility and Other Technical Slot Machine Terminology

Understanding a few technical slot machine terms can help you play online slots that match your gaming preferences.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

RNGs are what make slot machines fair and unpredictable. Every time you press "Spin", the random number generator creates a random outcome, ensuring that no two spins are ever the same. This computer algorithm is thoroughly tested by independent test labs to ensure that it is entirely fair and random.

Volatility

Volatility refers to the risk level of a slot machine. A game with high volatility should pay out larger sums less frequently. Conversely, low volatility slots offer smaller, more regular payouts.

Return to Player (RTP)

The return to player is the percentage of all wagered money that a slot machine is programmed to pay back to players over time. The best RTP slots are designed to pay back upwards of 96% of all wagers. This means that, for every £100 wagered, about £96 will be returned to players over the long term.

Special Slot Machine Features

Many video slots are packed with special features that make gameplay more entertaining and potentially rewarding.

Multipliers

Multipliers increase standard payouts by a specific value. For instance, with a 2x multiplier, your payout will be doubled.

Cascading Reels

In slot games with Cascading Reels or Tumbling Reels, symbols that form a winning combination will disappear, allowing new symbols to take their place. This gives players the chance to form additional winning combinations in the same round.

Progressive Jackpot

A progressive jackpot is a type of prize that increases in value every time someone plays the game but doesn't win it. Some of the largest progressive jackpots are linked across multiple games and have turned several lucky players into overnight millionaires.

Free Spins

Free spins give players a fixed or variable number of spins that don't require money. This popular type of bonus is normally triggered with scatter symbols but may be activated differently in some modern slots.

Pick and Click

During this type of bonus, players are presented with a selection of items to choose from. Each one hides either a prize, an upgrade or a feature end.

Megaways

Megaways is a popular game mechanic originally developed by Big Time Gaming but licensed by numerous other software providers. This mechanic randomly alters the number of symbols on the reels with each spin, creating 46,656, 117,649, or even more possible winning combinations.

Understanding Slot Symbols

Symbols are an integral part of slot machine terminology, so knowing their function ensures you enjoy and understand the game. You can learn more about these and the history of slots on our casino betting guides page.

Standard Symbols

These are basic symbols that appear on the reels and normally match the slot's theme. Aligning these symbols in a specific pattern normally results in a win.

Stacked Symbols

Symbols may appear stacked on top of each other in some online slot games, thus covering more than one position on the reel. Stacked symbols can increase your chances of creating a winning combination.

Expanding Symbols

Similar to stacked symbols, expanding symbols can cover entire reels. However, they typically only expand when they land in a specific position or if expanding results in a winning combination.

Key Takeaways

• If you're new to the genre, the most important slot terminology is understanding terms like paylines, wild symbols, and scatters.
• Understanding technical slot machine terms, including RTP and volatility can help you choose the right slot for your bankroll and risk preferences.
• Learning about RNG and other slot machine terms can help you understand that every spin offers random results and there is no way to guarantee a win. It's important to play responsibly and never wager more than you can lose.
• Popular slot machine terms covering bonus features include Megaways, free spins, Pick and Click and Cascading Reels.